First pitch: Astros’ Grossman at top, Peacock on mound vs. Twins

Since being recalled from Class AAA Oklahoma City last Saturday, the 23-year-old rookie is 10-for-20 with a home run, three walks and two stolen bases. The former Cy Fair High School standout has recorded a hit in all six games during his second stint with the Astros, raising his average to .244 and becoming one of the few players to display offensive consistency in the last week.

With the Astros just 2-7 during a 10-game road trip that ends Sunday with a 1:10 p.m. CT contest against the Twins, Astros manager Bo Porter returned Grossman to a spot he initially held during a rough 28-game run from April 24 to May 27.

In turn, rookie shortstop Jonathan Villar — batting just .200 and 1 for his last 16 — was moved down to the No. 9 spot.

“It more has to do with the way Grossman’s been swinging the bat,” Porter said. “Once you go through the lineup once, it’s almost like Villar, Grossman and Altuve’s hitting 1-2-3.”